***Little notes***

Well I am truly sorry for the delay but have been quite busy with exams, work and my very own personal issues -_-

But, as you all see, a new chapter is on :O

All thanks goes «ifup» and «may96» whose reviews made me jump back on track and although I had scheduled my other fanfics before this one. They both cracked me up since I had the same reactions when I started writing this story so I wrote this chapter instead (even if it's poorly written).

Although, there isn't any Leon/Sora direct romantic involvement so far, it doesn't mean there won't be any. I just had to explained why the whole dilemma from the previous 2 chapters started (that's why it's a very long chapter). But no worries it is coming, so happy reading!

Sora was speechless. She thought Leon had a bit a respect for her, but he was treating her like dirt… again. He was staring at her, waiting for her to crack and spill out the truth but she wouldn't. She took a deep breath and looked straight into his dark greyish eyes.

"Alright then would you mind telling me why you didn't call after that night, Leon-san?

- Sora, that isn't the issue here, is it now? You won't disagree with me for replacing you with a stranger?

- You said she's qualified, then so be it. Now tell me why you didn't try to reach me?

- So you are just gonna be fine with everything?

- Yes I can't argue with you right now not when my mind has other questions wondering around. And it's not like it's the first time you have done something like this for your show. I just would have thought you'd have the decency of letting me know first instead of learning the news through an email. So, now Leon-san would you just simply answer my question.

- …

- I'll wait. You take your time—

- I was busy.

- Busy huh? Anything else? A text would have sufficed you know. Like I don't know, maybe a "Hello Sora, I'm happy we saw each other before we parted ways for a little while. Have a nice trip and I'll see you soon" or a " Hey Sora, I hope you aren't too bored without me around you. Don't worry; we will see each other pretty soon. Be careful. I miss you"… Maybe I was worried, Leon. You never explained what would happen to us, to me, when we would get back home.

- Sora, I'm sorry but I think that as grown-ups and partners, we shouldn't make a big deal out of this—

- No.

- What?

- We used to be partners, Mr. Oswald, not anymore. And yes as grown-ups, I thought we needed to talk, but I guess I was wrong. Though now that I think of it, was I even once truly either your partner or anything else…

- Sora, you know this is so wrong—?

- Oh really? You think so? Well then let me clarify something Mr. Leon Oswald, I may not be qualified for you AGAIN in either way, but that's my stage and trust me, I will get it back just like old times ".

She slammed the car door without letting him time to react to her war declaration and stormed towards the old dormitory, tears streaming down her face. She wasn't expecting that much on her first day back home. She needed to talk to someone. Usually, she'd talk with her friends but they didn't know what she went through in Japan. She needed to talk to someone she trusted more than herself and who would know how to help her get back what she had lost. The only name she could think of was Layla Hamilton. She hauled up a taxi and rushed to her old partner's residence.

" Sora? How did you know where I was?, asked the blondie when she saw her friend at her front door.

- Hum, I was talking to Cathy when I was still in Japan, and she had told me that Yuri-san was on a business trip so for the meantime, you'd move back to your old home. Though I'm sorry to barge in like this, I just didn't know who to —

- Oh you silly thing, I am as glad to see you as surprised. You know you are always welcome here and this place is as yours as mine, remember? So why don't stay here for the night?

- Layla-san I'd love that! ", Sora replied while hugging her old friend.

She knew she had thought right about coming to Layla-san. Her friend had gone through a lot and made few enemies, but to Sora she meant an inspiration. Hope. Reason. Everything.

"So, tell me what happened? What is troubling you, Sora?

- Hum, well I don't know where to start… I came here to talk to you about what I thought would be easy to explain but it's not…

- You know, I won't lie to you. I heard you got yourself in trouble in Japan. And I hate when you lie to me so why don't you start explaining —

- I CAN'T!

- Huh?

- Hum, I'd prefer if you didn't ask about that now. I mean there is another story before that so if you don't mind I'd start with that one..?

- You gave me a fright for a second there. I never saw you act like that with me… anyways, just shoot it will you?

- Well, as you may remember, when Kalos first recruited Leon-san, you told me that I was insecure around him because of my feelings. At first, I thought it was because of my physical skills just like it was around you. So I decided to train to be accepted as his partner. But as my training went on and I found out about his past, I started to change and realized the real meaning behind your words: I was falling for the Grim-Reaper and all I could do to cease the pain was give him my soul and become his. And as time flew, it did work. He opened up to me and we became closer. He told me about his feelings after I won against you in that challenge. He said I reminded him of his sister. And I took it wrong then, because I thought he would never love me more and I didn't need a brotherly love from him. I think he saw my distressed expressions because he then explained that I reminded him that he is still good and he can be happy again just like Sophie had always seen. But then, he started thinking more and more about me. Nothing related to his sister anymore… He would be jealous when he'd see me taking long walks with Ken, or even when Yuri-san would drop by Kaleido Star for a meeting and see me before leaving. I found it silly because both Ken and Yuri-san are my dearest friends and started laughing at him. And you wouldn't guess what Leon-san did then, he..he.. He kissed me! Not on the cheeks. Not on the forehead. But on my lips. I'm pretty sure my heart stopped then and —

- Sora, you do realise you haven't talked about your issues yet? Unless it has to do with technics…I mean, not that I don't want to explain how to improve your physical skills for your lover but I'm not quite—

-Oh no Layla-san, I'm not here for this! Though… no no … I—I—I just don't know what went wrong. He kissed me and I was so happy with just that so I didn't ask for more. But on the night of our premiere, near the finale, he whispered "I love you" and I replied "I love you too" and we hugged on the stage. And as everyone might think it was all part of the acting, he and I both knew it wasn't. So, later that night, after everyone bid their goodbyes and congratulations, we headed to the beach and waited for the sunset together. We talked. He said he had never felt this happy in so long. We kissed her and there. Then, Sarah and Kalos joined us so we couldn't do much either. But he said he is happy he didn't go on further on one night since he didn't want to ruin what we may have in the future. So he clearly said, we will finish what we started after we reunite. And today, a month of our confession, he is giving the cold shoulder saying he was busy and couldn't even think about me when we were distanced for a month or so. Now you tell me Layla-san, am I wrong here or was he just playing with me?

- Sora, you do know I am not quite skilled in the heart matters. But as a happily married wife, I can only say this: being involved romantically with a perfomer is a lot of trouble but after a long while, it is all worth it. It was hard for us too at the beginning and all because I was very hard for Yuri. He never understood me at first, but he still tried. We broke up quite a few times, a lot even, and at some point, we didn't even know if we even had a relationship and if we did, was it only professional or personal? At some point, he gave up on me and it was the hardest time for me. He was dating another girl for a little while and even if I didn't know her personally, she'd get me fired up every time I'd hear her name or even see her face. Julie. Sounds pure, doesn't it? Wait till you hear her full name: Julie Laun Killian.

- Killian? But isn't Yuri-san's name…?

- Yes, a fool aren't I? Julie is his cousin on his mother's side. But I'd still get jealous. I knew they weren't dating, but the precious time he was having with her wasn't mine… So I realized that it was all up to me then and did what had to be done. And, today, we are finally married. All thanks to you Sora.

- me? How so?

- Well, I made a deal with him. Until I found a replacement for my stage, someone who could exceed me, I wouldn't settle down. And then you came up. You changed everything. I made it harder for you because I didn't want to leave the stage. Then, when I got injured, I realized it was time I put my stubbornness aside and live the rest of my life with my best friend. I thought it was my turn to make him happy and help him in return when he needed it. So for you, I'd say don't turn your back on him. You know Leon more than anyone so far, and he trusts you… so be the Sora he knows and wait? Looking for trouble isn't your type, and right now it is what you are doing. He is giving you the cold shoulder. Did you think about possible reasons unrelated to you? How about the impact of the upcoming show, or the fact that he gave your role to someone else…?

- How—

- I know everything Sora and also about what happened in Japan.

-That isn't—

- You can't run away form me Sora Naegino. You'll eventually come back to talk about it so why don't you just yell it out. I want to hear it from you and not from everyone else. It isn't going to change—

-YOU ARE RIGHT! IT WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING! TALKING ABOUT IT WON'T GIVE ME BACK WHAT I LOVE MOST! IT WON'T GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNNITY TO DANCE ON A STAGE AGAIN! YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS BEST LAYLA-SAN! BUT HOW COULD HE? Nobody gets it…

- I do Sora. I do. [Layla-san hugged Sora tightly, letting her petite friend pour her pain out. She knew that crying wouldn't heal her, hut when she got injured that was the only thing she could do. She shivered remembering how hard it was for her to stand up again and give it another try. Her first attempt was scary because she didn't know what was waiting on the other side when she'd jump. But Yuri helped her. And so did Sora. Now it was her turn. She will bring her back] Sora, will you tell me what happened? I won't be able to help you if you don't…

-…

- Or we can go rest and when you feel—

- It happened the day I got to Japan.

- What happened?

- I was outside. I had gathered my bags and was waiting for Tama-chan. My phone rang and I picked up. It was Yume. Of course she can't talk but I knew it was her. Then my mom said: Welcome home my big baby. I smiled and was about to reply back when I heard Tama-chan yell my name. I looked up and saw her running from not far with tons of balloons. She knows how much I love them. I told my mom that I will soon see her, and hanged up. I was putting my bags back on my shoulder so I'd join Tama-chan when someone bumped onto my back. I turned to say sorry but the person was already gone. Then, I saw someone. Tama-chan said that I dropped everything like I saw a ghost and rushed after it. I remember pushing people out of the way. All I remember was I felt like I wasn't fast enough. So when whoever it was crossed to reach the other bus, I panicked. I was losing track and I didn't like it. And as far as I remembered, I did look before crossing but it seemed like I wasn't used to the city life because the minute I was about to reach the other side, I—I only heard Tama-chan yelling my name and then nothing.

-Sora….

- The worst is I don't remember any of it. To me, I was waiting for Tama-chan and someone did bump into me but I don't remember turning around nor running after anyone. I woke up two weeks before I left Japan. I was supposedly in a coma. I didn't remember even being in an accident. I thought I was just sleeping after a very long night partying or something. I mean I didn't even have any of my members plastered. So, when they showed me the scares left due to surgery, I believed their story. I was shocked and then I started feeling the pain. I went through therapy for a few days to try and recover but the only things I was able to remember were what I told you earlier. The person I was running after is still unclear in my mind and somehow I feel like I shouldn't remember. Tama-chan said when she rushed by my side when I was hit, I kept repeating: She can't be… She shouldn't be here….

- Then it's a she?

- I don't know. But if she is, she must be someone I knew. I kept thinking it might be someone from my family since we were in Japan but it just doesn't feel right. But all the story leads to why I can't go on stage anymore: my injuries. My right leg was run over so it was pretty damaged but they tried repairing. And so far, I can't stand too long…

- It can be fixed Sora. When I was injured, my doctor told me it couldn't be fixed but they were all wrong. I didn't want to repair it but find support to help it feel better. And I am much better today. We aren't quitters Sora.

- I know that Layla-san but it wasn't just my leg. I know it isn't a lost for my leg since a bit of training should replace everything but it seems that when I hit the car, my head had severe damaged.

- I don't understand. What could affect your performance if it's your head? The music? We could give you earplugs. Headaches? You'd have to take some serious relaxation therapy or —

- Layla-san, I may turn blind".